Confession

10 min

Rite

Preparation for Confession

Come, Holy Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful,

and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Veni, Sancte Spiritus, reple tuorum corda fidelium,

et tui amoris in eis ignem accende.

Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created.

Emitte Spiritum tuum et creabuntur.

And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Et renovabis faciem terrae.

Let us pray. O God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit

didst instruct the hearts of the faithful,

grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things,

and evermore to rejoice in His consolation.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Oremus. Deus, qui corda fidelium Sancti Spiritus illustratione docuisti,

da nobis in eodem Spiritu recta sapere,

et de eius semper consolatione gaudere.

Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Examination of Conscience

Review your life since your last confession. Consider what you have done and what you have failed to do — in your duties to God, your neighbor, and yourself. Be honest. Be specific. God already knows your heart; you are simply naming what He sees.

Toward God

Have I prayed daily? Have I attended Mass on Sundays and holy days? Have I received Communion in a state of mortal sin? Have I used God's name irreverently or spoken of sacred things with contempt?

Toward Others

Have I harmed anyone in body, reputation, or livelihood? Have I been uncharitable, unforgiving, or unjust? Have I been honest in my dealings? Have I failed in my duties as a spouse, parent, child, employer, or employee?

Toward Myself

Have I been intemperate in food, drink, or the use of media? Have I been chaste in thought, word, and deed? Have I neglected the care of my soul — through laziness in prayer, avoidance of the sacraments, or failure to seek formation?

Act of Contrition

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee,

and I detest all my sins, because of Thy just punishments,

but most of all because they offend Thee, my God,

Who art all-good and deserving of all my love.

I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace,

to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin.

Amen.

Deus meus, ex toto corde pænitet me omnium meorum peccatorum,

æque detestor, quia peccando, non solum pœnas a Te iuste statutas promeritus sum,

sed præsertim quia offendi Te, summum bonum, ac dignum qui super omnia diligaris.

Ideo firmiter propono, adiuvante Tua gratia, de cetero me non peccaturum

peccandique occasiones proximas fugiturum.